Permanent waving machine

ABSTRACT

A permanent waving machine including a heating assembly for heating hair clamps. The heating assembly includes a base housing an elongated tubular heater element mounted for rotation on the base and a cap assembly secured to the heater element and including a handle for rotating the heater element relative to the base. The cap assembly, base housing and tubular heating element provide a substantially enclosed heating chamber. A resistance heater mounted on the base housing extends upwardly into the heating chamber in spaced relation to the interior surface of the tubular heating element. The resistance heater is in circuit with and controlled by an operating thermostat located in the base housing and connected in parallel with a control thermostat in the heating chamber and set to respond to a higher temperature than the operating thermostat. The tubular heating element is provided with integral elongate heater fins extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof for receiving a plurality of hair waving clamps for heating the clamps to the desired temperature.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,889,097 Forsberg 1 1 June 10, 1975 [5PERMANENT WAVING MACHINE 47,775 4/1937 France ..219/222 [75] Inventor:John R. Forsberg, Arlington Heights, L Primary Examiner-A. BartisAttorney, Agent, or FirmDressler, Goldsmith,

[73], Assignee: Helene Curtis Industries, Inc., Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: July 26,1973 [57] ABSTRACT I d h A permanent waving machineinc u ing a eating as- [21] Appl' 382886 sembly for heating hair clamps.The heating assembly 1 includes a base housing an elongated tubularheater 52 U.S. c1 219/242; 132/36 R; 219/222; element mounted forrotation on the base and a p 1 219/521 assembly secured to the heaterelement and including [51] Int. Cl H05b 1/02; A45d 4/00 a handle forrotating the heater olomoht relative to the [58] Field of Search219/222-226, base The p assembly, base housing and tubular 219/242 521;132/36 R; 36 A 36 AA 36 C heating element provide a substantiallyenclosed heat- 1 3 c 37 32 ing chamber. A resistance heater mounted onthe base 1 housing extends upwardly into the heating chamber in [56]Referen e Cit d spaced relation to the interior surface of the tubularUNITED STATES PATENTS heating element. The resistance heater is incircuit with and controlled by an operating thermostat loliili 15/1353$221;11:11:111113111111:111111311333 313/533 w in the base housing. andcomsctedin Parallel 2:491:939 12 1949 Tasho 219 242 3 control thermfstatthe heatmg chamber and 2,525,274 10 1950 Schleimer 219/242 Set torespond to a hlgher temperature than the p 3,049,131 8/1962 Leclabart132/36 R ating thermostat Tho tubular heating element is P vided withintegral elongate heater fins extending out- FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS wardly from the outer surface thereof for receiving a814,103 3/1937 France 132/36 C plurality of hair waving clamps forheating the clamps 502,050 3/1939 United Kingdom 132/36 D to the desiredtemperature 116,657 6/1946 Sweden 219/222 833,563 7/1938 France 219/2423 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 10 I975 SHEET BELL TIMERPATENTEDJUH I 0 I975 3' 889,097

SHEET 2 WWW/WANT CONTROL ){mmosm OPERATING THERMOSTAT PERMANENT WAVINGMACHINE This invention relates to a permanent waving machine andpermanent waving clamps, and is particularly concerned with an improvedheating assembly for heating hair clamps and for making heated hairclamps available for use by a beauty operator and with an improvedclamp.

A wide variety of permanent waving appliances have been developed andhave been made available for use. Many of these utilize hair wavingclamps which must be heated, following which the clamps are applied to ausers hair. Many devices have been designed for heating such clamps.Among such devices are those illustrated' in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,161,202,2,167,831, 2,491,939, 2,509,747, 2,517,253 and 2,525,274. All of thesepatents disclose heating tubes from which heat may be extracted by hairwaving clamps. Many of these require a plurality of heater elements;many take up a great deal of space; others fail to provide a compact andeasily used assembly which is designed to rotate and to present heatedclamps to a beauty operator at a variety of angular positions at whichthe operator may want them.

A permanent waving machine in accordance with this invention comprises abase housing, an elongate vertically positioned tubular heater elementand a cap assembly. The tubular heater element comprises a tubular walland a plurality of enlarged elongate heater fin's'extending outwardlyfrom the tubular wall. Means are provided for securing the cap assemblyto the upper end of said tubular heater element. Means are alsoprovided'for securing the lower end of the tubular heater element to thebase housing and for supporting said tubular heater element for rotationrelative to the base housing, thereby to present clamps as necessary atdesired angular positions. The base housing mounts a heater whichextends upwardly therefrom into the tubular heater element for heatingsaid heater element and said heater fins. The tubular heater element ispreferably an extrusion. In a preferred embodiment, the heater elementsupporting means includes balls and a ball race, thereby to support thetubular heater element for ready rotation with respect to the basehousing.

The cap assembly is non-rotatably secured to said tubular heater elementand provides a handle to facilitate rotating the heater element relativeto the base hous- A hair waving clamp in accordance with thisinventionincludes a pair of heat retaining, expansive clamp memberspivotally connected to each other and a stainless steel spring forbiasing said clamp members to a closed position. Each of theclampmembers mounts spacer fingers at edges thereof to keep the clampmembers, when heated and when applied to a users head, away from thescalp of the user. The stainless steel spring is passivated to preventspotting of the users hair.

These and further objects, advantages and features of this inventionwill become apparent from the following description and drawings, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a permanent waving machine inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the permanent waving machine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the permanent wavingmachine taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a clamp adapted for use with the permanent waving machine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a portion of thepermanent waving machine of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of the permanent wavingmachine ofFIG. 1.

Referring now' to the drawings, a permanent waving machine constructedin accordance with this invention is identified by the numeral 10.Permanent waving apparatus 10 includes a base housing 12, an upper capassembly 14 and an intermediate tubular heater element 16. Tubularheater element 16 is adapted to support and heat a plurality of clamps,such as clamps 18.

In the embodiment illustrated, tubular heater element 16 includes acylindrical tubular wall 30. Wall 30 merges into "radially extendingelongate vertical spacer ribs 32 whichterminate at their outer ends inelongate vertical enlarged heater fins 34. Fins 34 are generallycircular in transverse cross-section, as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and5.-Desirably, tubular heater element 16 is an aluminum extrusion,facilitating its fabrication and formation. It'is desirably surfacecoated with an epoxy resin to provide an easily cleaned externalsurface. As illustrated in FIG. 5, heater fins 34 are proportioned tomount clamps 18'so that they closely contact and confront the innersurfaces of the hair contacting portions of clamps 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, tubularheater element 16 is provided withmeans for securing its lower end to housing 12. To that end element 16is provided with a lower end plate 36 as by screws 38 which are receivedin appropriate bores provided in the ends of several of the heater fins34. A heater element support member 40 is secured by a plurality ofscrews 42 which extend through support member spacer bosses 44, throughlower end plate 36 and into bores in other heater fins 34. The lowersurface of heater element support member 40 defines a series of spacedball sockets 46proportioned to receive balls 48.

Balls 48 are supported in a circular ball race 50 which is defined by asupport plate 52. Support plate 52 is preferably of an electricallyinsulative plastic material and is secured by a plurality'of screws 54to downwardly opening, screw receiving bosses 56 in an upper base member60. That holds the balls 48 within the sockets 46 and race 50.

Base housing 12 includes an upper base member 60 and lower base member62. Lower base member 62 provides bosses 64 through which screws extendthreadingly to secure lower base member 62 to further bosses 56extending downwardly from the upper base member 60. Those additionalscrews also pass through support plate 52 additionally stabilizing thesupport plate within base housing-12. Upper base member 60 provides aninwardly extending shoulder 68 which lies between plate 36 and member40. This ball, socket and race arrangement provides for the relativerotation of tubular heater element 16 about its longitudinal axis withrespect to base housing 12.

Cap assembly 14 overlies the tubular heater element 16 and serves toenclose its upper end. Cap assembly 14 includes a cap 80 to which ahandle 82 is secured as by screws 84. An upper end plate 92 overlies theupper ends of heater fins 34 and defines a central aperture 93. A capsupport 86 overlies end plate 92 and they sandwich heat insulatingmaterial 88 therebetween, material 88 overlying aperture 93. Cap support86 provides a plurality of bosses 85 which confine and locate material88 and through which screws 90 pass into bores in the upper ends ofseveral of the fins 34. Cap 80 is secured by a plurality of screws 84and nuts to cap support 86, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

When the cap assembly 14 is so secured to the tubular heater element,handle 82 will serve as a carrying handle to transport the permanentwaving machine from place to place and will also serve as a handle formanipulating and rotating the tubular heater element 16 with respect tothe base housing 12.

To heat the tubular heating element 16 and the heater fins a resistanceheater 100, preferably a generally U-shaped Calrod unit, is provided. Itis positioned within the space defined by the cylindrical tubular wall30. Heater 100 is supported near its base on a ceramic heat insulatingplate 102 which is positioned just within the end of tubular heaterelement 16 (see FIG. 2). The end portions 101 extend below plate 102 andare clamped between the vertical flanges of a pair of brackets 104. Viahorizontal flanges 105 and suitable nuts and bolts 107, brackets 104 aresecured to support plate 52, which, as has been pointed out, is fixedlysecured to upper base member 60.

Resistance heater 100 is controlled by an operating thermostat 110 whichis connected in parallel with a control thermostat 112. When the ON-OFFpower switch 126 is turned on, both thermostats 110 and 112 close'toprovide power to resistance heater 100. Control thermostat 112 ispositioned within the tubular heater element, is mounted on plate 102and is set for a temperature of approximately 215 to 230. Because it islocated within the heater element 16 and close to the heater 100, itwill rapidly reach the temperature at which it will open. To provide ameans whereby the temperature of the heater element 16 may be raised tothe desired level, the second, operating thermostat 1 10 is set for alower temperature, such as about l80-l90, but, because it is remote fromthe heater element, it will not reach its shut off temperature for sometime, thereby allowing the heater element 16 to heat up rapidly.Thermostat 110 is secured to plate 52 within base housing 12. When theshut off temperature for thermostat 110 is reached, it will open andpower for heater 100 will be controlled by the thermostat 112.

Each clamp 18 includes a pair of identical clamp members 120. Members120 are pivotally secured to each other by a stainless steel hinge pin122. Each member 120 mounts spacer fingers 123 which, in use, keep theheated clamp members away from the scalp. They are biased to the closedposition illustrated in FIG. 4 by a stainless steel spring 124. Spring124 and pin 122 are treated, before use, by a passivating process.Passivating is a nitric acid etching process which serves to remoteimpurities from the surface of the pieces. Unless this is done, it hasbeen found that certain permanent waving solutions will leach out suchimpurities and will deposit them on a users hair. Pin 122 and spring 124are the only metallic components of clamp 18. Desirably clamp members122 are of a phenylene oxide, such as General Electrics Noryl SE-l.

This material is sufficiently heat retentive so that metal inserts orthe like commonly inserted in clamps to assist in retaining heat areunnecessary, and accordingly members 122 have no metallic particles orinserts therein. Clamps 18 are adapted to be mounted as seen in FIGS. 1and 5 and are constructed to be spread from the position illustrated inFIG. 4 to the heating position illustrated in FIG. 5.

In use, apparatus 10 is turned on via ON-OFF switch 126, and theresistance heater is heated under the control of thermostats and 112.The tubular heating element is heated and virtually all of the heatgenerated is transmitted to the fins. The structural design of theheating element 16 and its unitary formation as an extrusion makes veryefficient use of the heat generated by the heating element, therebyenhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the machine 10. When theclamps have been adequately heated, a color dot 132 provided on eachclamp indicates that fact by its color change. Dot 132 is of a knowntype of paint which is color responsive to temperature and which changesfrom one color to another, such as from red to brown, when the dot(hence the clamp) has been heated to the desired temperature. Assumingthe dot has changed color, the clamp is ready for use in connection withhair waving. A mechanical bell timer is provided for use in connectionwith timing the use of the heated clamps on the hair of the individualreceiving the permanent. Timer 130 is operated by knob 134.

It will be seen that the heater fins 34 are spaced from the cylindricaltubular wall 30 by spacer ribs 32. That provides adequate room forclamps 18 to extend around a greater portion of the fins than wouldotherwise be possible, thereby to provide more extensive contact betweenthe clamps to be heated and the heater fins. The spacing also permitsportions of the clamp, such as the spacer fingers 123, to extend beyondthe longitudinal edges of the clamp members 120, where such portions arenecessary or desirable in connection with the use to which the clampsare to be put. That is illustrated by FIG. 5.

The permanent waving apparatus of this application provides a simple andcompact heater for hair waving clamps. The closed tubular wall 30 ofheater element 16 makes the most efficient use of the heat generated bya single heater, such as the resistance heater 100, and requires only asingle resistance heater for heating a large number of clamps. Further,the permanent waving apparatus of this invention provides for the easyrelative movement of the heater fins with respect to the base, therebyto make the heated clamps more easily accessible and available to abeauty operator at desired angular positions.

Although only a presently preferred embodiment of this invention hasbeen shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention. It is therefore intended thatthe present invention shall be limited only in accordance with theclaims.

I claim:

1. A permanent waving machine comprising a base housing, an elongatevertically positioned tubular heater element and a cap assembly, thetubular heater element comprising a tubular wall and a plurality ofenlarged elongate heater fins extending outwardly from said tubularWall, said base housing, tubular wall and cap asseembly providing asubstantially enclosed heating chamber, means securing said cap assemblyto the upper end of said tubular heater element and means securing thelower end of said tubular heater element to said base housing andsupporting said tubular heater element for rotation relative to saidbase housing, and a resistance heater mounted on said base housing andextending upwardly therefrom into said tubular heater element and out ofcontact with its interior for tubular heating said heater element andsaid heater fins, said tubular heater element being an extrusion inwhich each of said heater fins is integrally connected to said tubularwall by a spacer rib which extends outwardly from said tubular wall,said heater being controlled by an operating thermostat and a controlthermostat in parallel with each other, the operating thermostat beinglocated within said base housing and set at a specified temperature, andthe control theremostat being located within said heater element and setat a temperature higher than said specified temperature, said capassembly being non-rotatably secured to said tubular heating element andincluding a handle to rotate said heater element relative to said basehousing.

2. A permanent waving machine in accordance with claim 1 in which saidsupporting means includes balls and a ball race, thereby to support saidtubular heater element for rotation with respect to said base housing.

3. A permanent waving machine in accordance with claim 1 in which saidcap assembly includes an insulating layer between said heating chamberand said handle.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.3,339,097 DATED 1 June 10, l9' 75 irrvemoatfi) John R. Forsberg it iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 3

Column 5, line 9, delete "tubular".

Column 5, line 10, insert tubular-- before "heater element".

Signed and Sealed this twenty-sixth Day Of August 1975 [SEAL] Atfest.

RUTH C. MASON I C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParemsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CETIFICATE 0F CGRRECTIONPATENT NO. 3,889,097 DATED June 10, 1975 |NVENTOR(S) 1 John R. ForsberIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 9, delete "tubular".

Column 5, line 10, insert -tubular before "heater element".

Signed and Scaled this A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner ufParenIsand Trademarks

1. A permanent waving machine comprising a base housing, an elongatevertically positioned tubular heater element and a cap assembly, thetubular heater element comprising a tubular wall and a plurality ofenlarged elongate heater fins extending outwardly from said tubularwall, said base housing, tubular wall and cap asseembly providing asubstantially enclosed heating chamber, means securing said cap assemblyto the upper end of said tubular heater element and means securing thelower end of said tubular heater element to said base housing andsupporting said tubular heater element for rotation relative to saidbase housing, and a resistance heater mounted on said base housing andextending upwardly therefrom into said tubular heater element and out ofcontact with its interior for tubular heating said heater element andsaid heater fins, said tubular heater element being an extrusion inwhich each of said heater fins is integrally connected to said tubularwall by a spacer rib which extends outwardly from said tubular wall,said heater being controlled by an operating thermostat and a controlthermostat in parallel with each other, the operating thermostat beinglocated within said base housing and set at a specified temperature, andthe control theremostat being located within said heater element and setat a temperature higher than said specified temperature, said capassembly being non-rotatably secured to said tubular heating element andincluding a handle to rotate said heater element relative to said basehousing.
 2. A permanent waving machine in accordance with claim 1 inwhich said supporting means includes balls and a ball race, thereby tosupport said tubular heater element for rotation with respect to saidbase housing.
 3. A permanent waving machine in accordance with claim 1in which said cap assembly includes an insulating layer between saidheating chamber and said handle.